Rewards Outweigh the Challenges for Kim and her Daughter

Breastfeeding has been one of the single more challenging and most rewarding things I've ever done. While my daughter and I have never had some of the bigger challenges as others – such as tongue ties, inverted nipples, poor milk supply or even having to go back to work and pumping – we did have our share. For one, my daughter has never liked taking a bottle. I can count on one hand the times she's actually taken one and even then she only drank maybe an ounce to ward off the hunger until I could get back to her. As a result, her Daddy and I haven't been able to have date night without her and I haven't been able to have a night out by myself. Another issue is that I actually have an OVER supply. I had to modify the positions I nursed it so that she didn't choke on the milk – talk about frustrating! And finally, we discovered at about 4months that she has a mild milk allergy – it messes up her digestive track. So I had cut out all dairy – milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, even most breads and baked goods as they usually contain butter or milk. I used to live on milk products and I had to change up my entire diet. I wanted to give up.  But I didn't.

 I firmly believe that breast is best, when at all possible. Plus I love the bond that breastfeeding has cultivated between us. There is just something magical about feeding MY baby from MY body as she looks up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes. Sometimes I would be annoyed when she would request milk while I was busy, but as soon as we were settled in together, I would melt into her and forget being upset. When she gets hurt, I'm able to nurse the pain away. When she's scared, I'm able to hold her to my breast and calm her fears. When she's tired, I'm able to send her off to sleep with a smile on her face. It’s magic, I tell you! It’s our special little club, something that only she and I share. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Now she's a walking, running, busy little toddler at 15months. She likes to nurse standing her on head, she tries to twiddle the other nipple, she sticks her fingers in my mouth and it’s so crazy! But she also comes running up to me, saying “mamamamamama” and making the “milk” sign language sign and it’s precious! Even more precious is when she is ready for bed and she comes up and signs “milk” and then “bed” and breaks into a HUGE grin, maybe even a giggle. It’s her favorite time of the day. When it’s just her and I, no outside noises, snuggled up in bed together as she drifts off to sleep. And no matter what else has happened, I know that I will cherish every nursing snuggle I get and I will cry the day it all ends. I'm so very grateful that we have been able to have this relationship and I couldn't have done it without the support of my husband and friends. I always encourage any expecting mother I meet to breastfeed. You won't regret it. I promise!